ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay had the San Francisco 49ers selecting safety Minkah Fitzpatrick of Alabama in his first mock draft. His second mock draft had the 49ers landing Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward with the ninth-overall pick in next month's draft.
On Wednesday, McShay released his first post-combine mock draft for ESPN and, once again, he has the 49ers going defense with their top pick. This time, with Ward being selected by the Chicago Bears at No. 8, it is defensive end/outside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds of Virginia Tech at No. 9.
Here is what McShay has to say about the selection of Edmunds by the 49ers:
"The 49ers need another cornerback, but in this scenario Ward is gone at No. 8. The 49ers have invested heavily on the defensive line high in previous drafts, but I think they look to the second level of the defense here. And Edmunds is a gift at No. 9. At 6-foot-4, 254 pounds, he has elite speed (4.47 40) and athleticism -- and he's only 19. Edmunds has the ability to play off the ball on first and second downs and rush the QB on obvious passing downs."
Edmunds played in 13 games and started twice as a true freshman. That season, he registered 11 total tackles with 2.5 for a loss, according to Sports Reference. As a sophomore in 2016, Edmunds recorded 94 total tackles, 16.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks, three passes defensed, and an interception. As a junior in 2017, he had a college-career-best 108 total tackles, 14 for a loss, 5.5 sacks, two passes defensed, and three forced fumbles.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Edmunds impressed scouts by running an official 4.54-second 40-yard dash and having good physical measurables (6-foot-5 height, 34 1/2-inch arm length, 253-pound weight, and 9 3/8-inch hands).
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